Speech to the Press

The very word secrecy is repugnant in a free and open society

And we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies

To secret oaths and to secret proceedings

For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic

And ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means

For expanding its sphere of influence on infiltration instead of invasion

On subversion instead of elections

On intimidation instead of free choice

On guerrillas by night instead of armies by day

It is a system which has conscripted vast human

And material resources into the building of a tightly knit

Highly efficient machine that combines military

Diplomatic

Intelligence

Economic

Scientific and political operations

Its preparations are concealed

Not published

Its mistakes are buried

Not headlined

No expenditure is questioned

No rumor is printed

No secret is revealed